About Shane Nguyen
Hello! My name is Shane, I am currently working in the medical imaging industry as a sonographer. Funnily enough, my hobby is also imaging but of the outside world – photography. I also love hiking with my dog and travelling the world, always searching for the next best shot.
What gear do you use?
I currently use the Sony A7III along with the 16-35mm GM, 55mm ZA 1.8 and the Sony 70-200mm G along with my trusty 3 Legged Thing Leo Equinox Carbon Fibre tripod and NiSi filters kits. I also use my DJI Mavic Pro for epic drone shots. All of this is packed into my Temba, Peak design or F-Stop bag depending on the conditions and the location.
What type of photography are you into?
I love taking landscape and street photography
How did you start photography? What/Who inspires you?
My Dad was always into photography throughout my life but I never really got into it right away. It was only in the past few years that my interest in photography peaked when I spontaneously borrowed my dad’s Sony A7 on a trip to Kangaroo Island. I had no idea what I was doing, taking pictures on auto mode but that was the start of my journey into photography. Even with my lack of knowledge and skills back then I loved the satisfaction of capturing that perfect moment.
From then on, I decided to dive deeper into photography and bought myself my first proper camera, the Sony A7 III (because my dad had already invested in Sony lenses).
Currently I look to Thomas Heaten for inspiration on landscape photography and Pierre T Lambert for street shots.
Top 3 photo locations to shoot?
My favourite landscape photography locations so far have been the rice field valleys of Mu Cang Chai in Northern Vietnam and the icy cold mountains of South Island, New Zealand.
My favourite street photography locations are the streets of Hanoi in Vietnam And Shinjuku in Japan as they are filled with unique cultures and characters.
Top 3 photo tips?
My top photography tips:
1. Always have your camera ready to take the shot, a moment only lasts a split second and may never happen again.
2. Be prepared – check your gear the day before, check the weather, the forecast, get there early and check your composition.
3. Be patient – You may find the best composition for a landscape or street photography spot, but you must be patient for the perfect weather or subject to make your shot truly special. It may take you more than one try or day.
What has been your most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience was when I travelled to North Vietnam and I stayed at an ethnic group homestay. I woke up early in the morning determined to explore the village and the famous rice fields of Mu Cang Chai but I was met with a thick blanket of fog as soon as I stepped out of the hut, but I took a chance that the fog would clear up and ventured on. I walked through the village and was told by a villager that the famous rice fields were somewhere in the direction that he pointed in. While I was walking through the rice paddies and by the stream, there was not a single person in sight. Only sparse, tiny huts where the farmers slept; quiet and still as if the huts themselves were catching up on their sleep before the sun rose for the day.
After walking through the fog and the semi-darkness for what seemed like eternity, I was met with the most breathtakingly beautiful composition with the stream weaving around a horse bend through the rice fields. The fog completely filled the valley but nevertheless, I set up my gear and prayed that when the sun rose, it would clear the fog and paint an epic picture as it pierced through the fog; and luckily, this was exactly what happened.
Shane’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaney.shoots/
